Shoe sole and heel protector.



No. 758,818. PATENTED MAY 8, 1904. G. 0. CALBNTINE.

SHOE SOLE AND HEEL PROTECTOR.

APPLIOATION rILBD JUNE 18. 1802.

N0 MODEL.

I y @Ain-ys UNITED STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OEEICEo GEORGE O. OALENTINE, OF TAOOMA, vWASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR OF 'THREE- FOURTHS TO J OHN O. DONNELLY, OF TAOOMA, NVASHINGHFON.

SHOE SOLE AND HEEL PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,818, dated May 3, 1904. Application led .Tune 18,1902. Serial No. 112,208. lNo model.)

To r//H whom zit n1/(ty concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. OALEN'PINE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of 5 \Vashington, have invented a new and useful Shoe Sole and Heel Protector, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to protectors for shoe soles and heels.

As is well known, the center' of a shoe-sole is subjected to the greatest wear and is the part that first breaks down in use, this being' due to the fact that under the weight of the wearer the sole is constantly stretched laterally and bowed both longitudinally and transversely, thus bringing the center of the sole, or that under the ball of the foot, into more direct Contact with the pavement or ground than any other portion of the sole. Furthermore, as the sole wears down the edges of the outer lift are frequcntly mashed outward beyond the edges of the inner or next adjacent lift, thereby causing' the shoe to present an unsightly appearance.

lt has been proposed heretofore to obviate lateral stretching' of the outer lift and measurably to increase the life of the shoe by the employment of a flexible metallic plate interposed between the lifts of the sole and having spurs embedded in the outer lift. This has been accomplished in various ways, among which may be mentioned the employment of a metallic plate shaped to conform to the contour of the lift and having' marginal pointed prongs or teeth to be sunk into the lift, after which the lift is secured to the sole of the boot or shoe. This arrangement is capable only of reinforcing the edge or perimeter of the outer lift and does not in any way protect the center portion thereof.

lt has further been proposed to reinforce a shoe-sole against wear by the employment of metallic plates arranged between its lifts and provided with rows of teeth disposed transversely of the plate or with rows of teeth disposed longitudinally and transversely of the plate, the teeth in both instances being' embedded in the outer lift. 1n each of these arrangements certain of the rows of teeth will inevitably cause the outer lift to break transversely, inasmuch as its teeth-receiving perforations are arranged in straight lines across the lift and, in effect, operate in the same manner as the perforations in a signature or check sheet to facilitate its separation from its stub.

It has been further proposed te reinforce a shoe-sole against wear by the employment of a plate arranged between its lifts and provided with marginally and transversely detachable spurs, the latter being arranged on slightly-curved lines; but the objections to this arrangement are that the spurs are liable to become separated from the plate, and, further, that a shoe so equipped cannot be worn in a dwelling without injury to its floors or to their coverings.

lt has further been proposed to reinforce a shoe-sole against wear by the employment of a perforated plate arranged between its lifts and provided with headed spurs soldered to the plate to present wear-resisting and nonslipping surfaces; but the objection to this arrangement is that if the spurs are merely soldered to the plate the pressure upon the spurs incident to thc use of the shoe will cause their heads to break from the plate and work upward against the inner lift, and if the latter be thin the heads will form nodules thereon, which will be exceedingly uncomfortable, if not unbearable, to the wearer.

lt is the object of the present invention in a ready, simple,thoroughly-eilicient, and practical manner without detractingfrom the flexibility of the sole and its adaptability of conformation to the foot of the wearer largely to increase its wearing properties and positively to hold it against lateral stretching, to prevent any weakeniug of the sole which would cause transverse breaking thereof, and to obviate discomfort of any character to the wearer.

lVith the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in a shoesole comprising an outer lift, an inner lift, and an interposed protector consisting' of a flexible plate of metal provided over substantially its entire lower surface with closely-assembled triangular-shaped spurs or prongs integral with the plate and embedded in the outer lift, the upper side of the plate being smooth, thus to permit of its use between thin lifts without discomfort to the wearer, and the spurs or prongs being arranged in break-joint order and with their edges disposed longitudinally ofthe lift, thereby positively, to prevent transverse weakening of the' outer lift and also any lateral stretching thereof.

1n the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements-therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof, and in these drawings- Figure l is a view in vertical longitudinal section through a shoe equipped with the protectors of this invention, the protectors being shown in full size. Fig. 2 is a view in plan of the sole, the outer lift being partly broken away to display the protector. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section taken through the sole portion of the shoe.

Referring' to the drawings, 1 designates, generally, a shoe which may be of the usual or any preferred construction, in this instance of that class in which the sole and upper are connected by nails, it being understood, of course, that the invention is equally adaptable for use in connection with sewed shoes, and as this will be obvious detailed illustration of the latter arrangement is deemed unnecessary.

The present invention resides, specifically, in a novel form of protector for the sole and heel and which are designated, respectively, 2 and 3, both being constructed in the same manner, the only difference being in their size and shape. Each protector is made from a piece of flexible sheet metal and is provided with closely-assembled spurs or prongs 4, preferably triangular in shape and formed by punching or striking up the metal in the usual manner to effect such results. With both the heel and the sole the plates are of a size to lie within the lines of the nails 5 and 6, that operate in the usual manner to hold the outer sole and heel lifts, respectively, with the inner sole-and heel lifts. Vhile this is the preferred arrangement, it will be understood that the plates may be of the same size as the sole and heel lifts and still be within the scope of the invention.

, As above pointed out, the salient objects of the present invention are to prevent in a positive manner any transverse weakening of the outer sole, any lateral stretching thereof, and also to obviate any interference with the comfort of the wearer of the shoe equipped with this invention. These objects are secured by striking the spurs or prongs from the upper side of the plate, thereby leaving this side smooth, in disposing the rows of spurs in break-joint order and with their edges disposed longitudinally of the lift, so that there can be no transverse weakening of the lift, which would result if the spurs were arranged in alined transverse rows with the edges of the spurs extending across the sole, and by disposing the spurs close to the edge of the outer lift, thus positively preventing the latter lift from mashing outward beyond the inner lift.

Before the under sole and heel lifts are positioned upon the shoe the plates are assembled with the lifts by having their spurs or prongs embedded therein, as by passing the lifts in conjunction with the protectors between rollers. After this procedure the outer sole and heel lifts may be sold as articles of manufacture with the protector applied thereto. By the provision of the spurs or prongs not only are the plates made readily adaptable for assemblage with the parts with which they coact, but they are also rendered flexible, thus to obviate any objectionable stiffness of the sole, and, further, the spurs will operate to prevent rapid wear of the sole and heel, and thus largely increase their life. The plates cannot become disconnected from the parts with which they coact, nor work loose, as ordinary nails, thereby positively obviating marring of lioors and the tearing of carpets and matting.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that although the device of this invention is exceedingly simple and cheap of construction it will be thoroughly efficient in use for the purpose designed and may be employed IOO in the manufacture of shoes at a less expense than would attend the addition of an extra thickness of leather of the sole to increase its wearing properties.

Vhile the invention is shown and described as applied to a shoe, it is to be understood that it is equally adaptable for use in connection with boots or low-quarter shoes, and as this will be readily understood detailed illustration of its adaptation to such forms of foot-gear is thought to be unnecessary. v.

Having thus fully. described my invention, what I claim ish A shoe-sole comprising an outer lift, an inner lift, and an interposed protector consisting of a flexible plate of metal provided over substantially its entire lower surface with closely-assembled triangular-shaped spurs or prongs integral with the plate and embedded in the outer lift, the upper side of the plate being smooth thus to permit of its use between IIO thin lifts without discomfort to the wearer, In testimony that I claim the foregoing' as and the spurs or prongs being' arranged 1n niy own l have hereto athxed iny signature 1n break-Joint order and with their edges disthe presence of two wltnesses.

G. C. CALENTINE.

posed longitudinally of the lift, thereby posi.

Witnesses:

l). C. KAUFFMAN, F. P. HAsulcLL, Jr.

tively to prevent transverse weakening of the outer lift, and also any lateral stretehlng thereof. 

